I can count on one hand the times that I've been on a ranch with a legitimate opportunity to shoot a true trophy buck. Actually, I would have several fingers left over. Most of my hunting has been from a makeshift stand in an area where the odds of seeing a mature buck worthy of a wall mount are about like winning the lottery. When Stuart Parsons extended an invitation to hunt on his ranch near Valley Mills, I nearly choked. I've been talking to Stuart for months about his ranch and it's management program. Long story, short...he's growing some massive deer. When I say massive, I mean 200 inch class. I never really thought an invitation would materialize because, lets face it...many people talk about inviting others into their deer sanctuary, few ever do. Not that I blame them. Deer have become big business, with millions and millions spent each year on feeding, nurturing and managing deer. "Boy do I have the deer for you!" Any conversation that starts with those words is bound to get my attention. Stuart told me about a problem deer that he had on his ranch. In the past two years, the main frame ten point had killed three of the best bucks on the ranch. Including two that scored more than 175. They nicknamed him "The Killer." It was a long shot. Anytime you're hunting one particular buck the odds are against you. I figured if we didn't see him at least I would enjoy a nice morning in a comfortable deer blind for a change. The sun came up on the morning of the hunt and it was indeed a great time. The weather was crisp and clear and the deer were moving. We watched a young eight point and a three point chasing does, and occasionally butting heads. I also saw one of the best Black Bucks I've ever seen...posing like a statue in the middle of the food plot we were watching. Just when I thought the hunt was over, Stuart whispered "there he is." Wow, was all I could say. He looked twice the size of the other deer we had seen. I glanced at his enormous rack and I had to look away as he limped into the food plot. "Looks like he's been fighting again. We need to take him out. Do you want him? "Uh Huh....was all I could manage in response to this ridiculous question. "Ok, camera's rolling, whenever you're ready." From there, everything was a blur. The rifle went up, I steadied the scope, squeezed off the shot and felt my heart sink as he took off into the brush. I knew my gun was sighted in, and I knew my aim was true, still uncertainty settled in as we approached the area the buck had been standing 20 minutes before. Not a drop of blood, no hair...no sign of the deer being hit. I couldn't even follow as Stuart went into the brush where we had last spotted the buck. It only took a couple of seconds but it seemed like hours as I waited for word. "There he is." He hadn't run 50 yards after the shot. There was no ground shrinkage here. The buck looked even larger as I bent down to take the huge antlers in my hand. It was a long shot but "The Killer" was dead. Stuart was glad he was gone. I was absolutely thrilled. This is by far, the largest buck I've ever taken. It may very well be the best buck of my life, and I can live with that. It feels good to know that I've done my part to help out the management program at Parson's Whitetail Ranch, and that I've provided some fine table fare for my family, and had one heck of a time doing it.